Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-11-05
STARTING RACE HORSES.
An Invention Which VIII BE Tested at
Oaklaud This Week


Oakland This Week.
The well-known and popular sportsman
P. A. Finigan, of this city, says the San
Francisco Call, has recently completed an
apparatus tor starting running horses at
race meetings, which promises grand i'm
provement on the present method by the
drop of the flag. 1t is a much needed
scheme and will no doubt gain popularity
in all parts OF the world where horse racing
is carried on extensively. The method
adopted by Mr.. Finigan for starting race
horses will simplify racing, as all the Sc
rious trouble has arisen at the post or start
ing point. Mr. Finigan's patent consists of
four permanent posts, two on the outside of
the track or starting point and two on the
inside; these posts to be of any desired
hight, say twenty-five feet; the posts to be
opposite each other or at right angles
From the outside posts there is a strong
rope with loop fastening the slip over the
| top. Then these two ropes are taken over
to the other posts, on the inside at the top
of which is patent block for these ropes
| to pass over, with small windlass so as to
make them perfectly taut. They have ad-
| Unstable rings, about five feet apart, from
which small cords are attached by snaps.
The one in front and the one in back are to
| support a canvas or rubber partition max
| ing as many stalls as is desired without any
| horse or rider seeing the other, all the ami
mails standing ct ease looking at the starter
or waiting for the tap of the drum or any
| other signal agreed upon. As the stewards
| or judges ballot for positions each horse
| takes his stand in this improvised stable
about forty yards back from a given line
where the time is taken. If any Jockey
should leave his place before the word is
given he is sent back, with a reprimand
| not to repeat it under severe penalty ::
therefore there cannot by any advantage by
iockeying gained in the start. All are on
even terms after the horses get the word
60" This light structure or apparatus
can be removed in five seconds actual
time. Ii wanted at the same place for the
next start is simply pulled to one side, and
the horses pass and repass without any,
thing to interfere or frighten them. With
small curtain in front the horses, and
particularly young ones, will feel at ease.
III necessary, man can stand behind the
line OF starters with small cord, which is
stretched in the rear of all and when given
the signal for . go" be pulls the cord so
as to strike all horses simultaneously and
dispatch them on equal terms. Previous
to the signal for starting the curtain in
front of the horses can be removed almost
| Instantly with a slight movement leav-
ing the stalls all open. To be fully
appreciated and understood, the new
device for starting horses must be
seen when in operation. The opinions ex-
pressed by prominent turfinen on the new
Scheme is that it will reYolutionize the pres
ent flag system of starting horses. 1t will
do away with tedious delays at the post; the
dangers incurred by kicking horses will be
removed, and, though last, but by no means
least, every horse will be dispatched from
the post on equal terms, consequently there
will be no possibility of favorite being
left behind, which is so often the case in a
large field of starters. 1t was Mr.. Finigan's
intention to give his new invention a test
trial in yesterdays racing at the old Oak
land track, but the apparatus not being
complete, the new scheme for starting the
racers will not be brought into operation
until next Tuesday, when it will be seen
by the many thousands of people who will
be IN attendance at the second days meet
ing of the Blood-horse Association.